Arkamin Tablet

Arkamin tablet is an anti-hypertensive medicine. It is used to treat high blood pressure and also helps in reducing other heart problems. Arkamin contains clonidine as the active component.

This medicine dilates the blood vessels and decreases high blood pressure. Arkamin tablet should be taken as directed by the doctor and in doses and duration as prescribed. Do not stop taking Arkamin medicine, as it results in a sudden spike in blood pressure levels.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure may further cause harm to the health of an individual by increasing the risk of damage to various organs such as the eye, brain, heart and kidney. While taking this tablet, you should be cautious of your diet and perform regular exercise.

Dosage

Overdose

• Symptoms of overdose may include lack of energy, decrease in heart rate, fall in blood pressure, decreased body temperature, drowsiness including coma and slow respiratory rate. Sometimes, it may cause temporary high blood pressure.
• If you experience any of the symptoms or think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

• Missing a dose of anti-hypertensives may lead to high blood pressure and other heart-related complications.
• If you missed any dose of medicine, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dose schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.
• Do not stop taking Arkamin tablet without consulting your doctor.
• If you have been using this medicine for a long time, you may feel some withdrawal effects like agitation, restlessness, palpitation (feeling of heartbeat), nervousness and headache when you stop taking it.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Arkamin tablet dilates the blood vessels and decreases the blood pressure. So, the workload on the heart decreases and reduces blood pressure.

Directions for Use

• Take Arkamin as a whole with a sufficient amount of water, with or without food.
• You should take this medicine regularly at the same time without fail as directed by your doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Arkamin tablet during pregnancy?

• There is limited information about the effects of this medicine in human pregnancy but your doctor may give you this medicine only if it is really needed and the advantage overweighs the risk.
• Arkamin tablet can reach your baby and may lower your baby’s heart rate. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Arkamin tablet while breastfeeding?

• Arkamin tablet is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it passes in breast milk.
• You should consult your doctor before using this medicine during breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Arkamin tablet?

You may feel drowsy, dizzy or could have some disturbances of vision while taking Arkamin tablet. Hence, you should not drive or take part in any activities where these may put you or others at risk.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Arkamin tablet?

You may feel drowsy or sleepy while taking the Arkamin tablet. You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Arkamin tablet as it can worsen the condition.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have Raynaud's disease (a problem with circulation to the fingers and toes) or other blood circulation problems.
• You have problems with your heart or kidney.
• You had or have depression.
• You have constipation.
• You have a nerve disorder that may cause your hands and feet to feel different or some altered sensation.
• You have changes in blood pressure when you stand up (postural hypotension).
• You may get dry eyes while taking this medicine. This may be a problem if you wear contact lenses.
• Arkamin tablet can affect liver function and blood glucose tests, so if you are about to have any blood test, inform the laboratory beforehand about Arkamin tablets you are taking.
• You are going to have an operation, keep taking your Arkamin tablet as per your doctor's advice.
• You have to go to a hospital, you should take your tablets with you. Arkamin tablet is not recommended for children.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to clonidine or any of the other ingredients of Arkamin tablet.
• If you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby.
• If you are breastfeeding.
• If you have a slow heart rate or any other problems with your heart.

Side effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Feeling dizzy when you stand up from sitting or sleeping position.
• Unusually slow or irregular heartbeat
• Problem with circulation to the fingers and toes.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Arkamin tablet may interact with other medicines and produce an altered response. Please tell your doctor if you are using any other medicines, over-the-counter medicines (that you buy without a prescription) and herbal preparations.
• Medicines for mental illness such as Imipramine, Mirtazapine and Chlorpromazine may alter the effects of Arkamin tablet.
• Medicines used to treat pain and swelling like aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen interfere with the way this medicine works.
• This medicine can decrease your blood pressure abruptly if taken with other blood pressure-lowering medicine (Methyldopa, Lisinopril, Furosemide, Candesartan and Telmisartan).
• You may experience low heart rate when taken along with medicines used to treat heart diseases or blood pressure like Atenolol, Bisoprolol and Digoxin.
• Other medicines like Mirtazapine, Frusemide, Prazosin, Diazoxide, Verapamil, Captopril or medicines that make you drowsy should be used cautiously.

Storage and disposal

• Store it below 25°C in a clean and dry place, protected from moisture, sunlight and heat.
• Keep this medicine away from children and pets.
• You should not use this medicine once the expiry date has passed. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• You should not use this medicine if you notice that the pack is damaged or it shows signs of tampering.
• You should not flush this medicine in the toilet or pour them into the drain. You need to properly discard this medicine when it is expired or no longer needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Arkamin tablet be given to pacemaker patients?

Arkamin tablet use may slow the heart rate. The use of Arkamin tablet along with other blood pressure-lowering agents may further increase such effects. Reports of pacemaker insertion have been observed in association with the use of Arkamin tablet concomitantly with Verapamil or Diltiazem. You should inform your doctor if you are using a pacemaker.

Am I going to feel agitated if I miss Arkamin tablet?

Yes, do not stop taking Arkamin tablet without talking to your doctor. If you have been using this medicine for a long time, you may feel agitated when you stop taking it. It is called ‘withdrawal effect’.

Can I take three tablets of Arkamin?

Take Arkamin tablet as per the advice of your doctor. Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor.

What is Arkamin tablet and what are its uses?

Arkamin tablet contains Clonidine which belongs to a group of medicine that decreases high blood pressure.

Can I stop this medication on my own?

• No, it would be best if you do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
• If you stop this medication suddenly, you may suffer from severe heart and blood pressure related problems.
• Your doctor will decrease your dose gradually over weeks before stopping it.

I am experiencing episodes of low blood pressure. What can I do?

• If you are taking this medicine, in the initial few days, you may experience low blood pressure episodes such as lightheadedness and giddiness.
• Take an adequate amount of salt and water.
• Inform your doctor if you have vomiting or diarrhoea.
• If you experience giddiness and lightheadedness, immediately lie down.

Is there any special diet that I need to follow while taking this medicine?

Yes, your doctor may advise you a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully.

What are the complications if my high blood pressure is not under control?

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is known to cause serious complications in several body parts. It can cause heart failure, kidney damage and bleeding in the brain and eyes.

Are there any dietary restrictions I should follow as I have high blood pressure?

• Limit intake of salt in the diet, especially pickles and packaged foods like chips contain excess salt and should be avoided.
• Have less amount of potassium-containing foods like spinach, broccoli or banana.
• Limit meat intake.
• Instead of having packaged snacks, prefer fresh cut fruits as they are rich in vitamins and fibre.

Does Arkamin 100 mcg tablet cause weight gain?

Weight gain is not a common side-effect of Arkamin 100 mcg tablet. There may be varied physiological responses depending on the individual medical condition. It is advised that you should consult your doctor if you experience weight gain.

Can I take Beta-blockers with Arkamin 100 mcg tablet?

Beta-blockers are medicines used to lower blood pressure. Beta-blockers and Arkamin 100 mcg tablet may lower blood pressure. Taking these medicines together may lead to low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, headache and dizziness and sometimes even make you faint.

Does Arkamin 100 mcg tablet cause sleepiness?

Some patients may experience drowsiness on taking Arkamin 100 mcg. Thus, if you become dizzy or drowsy after the medicine, take rest and avoid doing activities that need mental alertness, like driving.

Is Arkamin a diuretic?

No, it is not a diuretic.

Can I take Arkamin for a long duration?

You should take this medicine for as long as prescribed by the doctor. It is usually prescribed for a long duration, maybe for weeks to several months, depending upon the medical condition. However, if you do not feel any improvement in your condition, do not exceed the prescribed duration without consulting a doctor.

How fast does Arkamin work?

Arkamin starts working within 2 hours of its oral intake. However, it may take a few weeks to notice its full effect. Even after taking it for a week, if you do not feel any improvement or experience troublesome side effects, consult your doctor.

How do you take Arkamin tablets?

Take Arkamin as directed by your doctor for the exact prescribed duration. You can take this medicine with or without meals. Consuming more than the prescribed amount might result in increased side effects, while consuming less than the prescribed amount results in treatment failure.